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New liquid alloy electrode significantly lowers operating temperature of sodium-beta batteries; improved performance

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Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have devised an alloying strategy that enables sodium-beta batteries to operate at significantly lower temperatures. The new electrode enables sodium-beta batteries to last longer, helps streamline their manufacturing process and reduces the risk of accidental fire.

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Stanford team develops sodium-ion battery with performance equivalent to Li-ion, but at much lower cost

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Stanford researchers have developed a sodium-ion battery (SIB) that can store the same amount of energy as a state-of-the-art lithium ion, at substantially lower cost. Thus, further research is required to find better sodium host materials. The sodium salt makes up the cathode; the anode is made up of phosphorous.

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PG&E, Calif. Energy Commission launch 4MW sodium-sulfur grid storage pilot in San Jose

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the California Energy Commission today unveiled a utility-scale sodium-sulfur battery energy storage system ( earlier post ) pilot project to better balance power needs of the electric grid. The system has a 4 megawatt capacity, and can store more than six hours of energy.

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BC Hydro and SC Electric Company partner on sodium-sulfur battery energy storage project

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BC Hydro has selected S&C Electric Company, a renewable energy integration company, for a sodium-sulfur (NaS) battery energy storage project intended to improve service reliability for a remote mountain community in British Columbia. This integrated solution optimizes total system efficiency and reliability for the community.

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French researchers develop sodium-ion battery in 18650 format; performance comparable to Li-ion

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Researchers within the RS2E network on electrochemical energy storage (Réseau sur le stockage électrochimique de l’énergie) in France have developed the first sodium-ion battery in an 18650 format. The main advantage of the prototype is that it relies on sodium, an element far more abundant and less costly than lithium.

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Xcel Terms First Phase of Sodium-Sulfur Battery Wind Energy Storage Test Project Successful

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In October 2008, Xcel began testing a one-megawatt sodium-sulfur (NaS) battery ( earlier post ) to demonstrate its ability to store wind energy and move it to the electricity grid when needed. They are able to store about 7.2 The project received a $1 million grant from Xcel Energy’s Renewable Development Fund.

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U-M leads new DOE-funded research center for ceramic ion conductors; MUSIC

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The University of Michigan (U-M) and eight partner institutions will explore the use of ceramic ion conductors as replacements for the traditional liquid or polymer electrolytes in common lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and in flow cells for storing renewable energy in the grid.